Doc Hudson is the former racer who lives in Radiator Springs as the town’s doctor in Pixar’s Cars.
Doc is modeled on the Hudson Hornet, a real automobile associated with stock-car racing in the early 1950s. In the story, he was once a celebrated champion known as the Fabulous Hudson Hornet, but a serious crash ended his racing career and left him disillusioned.
He initially resents Lightning McQueen’s careless attitude and wants him out of town. However, Doc eventually becomes McQueen’s mentor, teaching him that racing depends on more than speed and that a driver should respect the people around him.
Paul Newman provided Doc Hudson’s voice in Cars. Newman was also a noted race-car enthusiast and competitor, which gave the role a particularly strong connection to real motorsport. Doc’s racing number is 51, a reference to the year 1951.